Nationalist leaders sign pact to pursue independence referendums
The first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff, saying Westminster's time is coming to an end.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland met in Cardiff and signed a memorandum of understanding committing their parties to work together on constitutional change. They declared that "Westminster's time is coming to an end" and called on the UK government to prepare for the possibility of independence referendums.
John Swinney, the SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, said he believed Andy Burnham would be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom, because the people of Scotland would choose independence if given the chance. Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein, the Northern Ireland First Minister, said the three parties shared a common cause in the right to self-determination. Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Welsh First Minister, said there was a growing recognition that Westminster was not working and that power needed to be brought closer to people.
The summit came after President Donald Trump said he would like to see a united Ireland during a visit to the island at the weekend, a comment that nationalists seized on as evidence that constitutional change was on the agenda. However, the three leaders differed on timetables. Swinney wants a Scottish referendum within five years; Sinn Fein wants a border poll by 2030; ap Iorwerth resisted setting a date for Wales, saying the journeys were different.
The UK government responded by saying it was focused on the cost of living, not constitutional debates. Unionist politicians, including the DUP, criticised the meeting, with Emma Little-Pengelly accusing Michelle O'Neill of weaponising her role as first minister.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | BBC Two | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The nationalist leaders are due to meet to sign an agreement, including a memorandum of understanding. | · | · | · | · | ||||
| John Swinney said Andy Burnham would be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| Sinn Fein called for a border poll on Irish reunification by the end of the decade. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| The DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly criticised Michelle O'Neill's involvement in the meeting and the memorandum of understanding. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| The three nationalist leaders come from the SNP, Sinn Fein, and Plaid Cymru. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| Andy Burnham cancelled engagements following the death of his father. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Leaders called on the UK government to prepare for constitutional change. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Opinion polling in Scotland since the 2024 general election has shown a narrow balance between support for and against independence. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Plaid Cymru has ruled out seeking a Welsh independence referendum in its first term. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth did not set a timetable for a Welsh independence referendum. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive more in Westminster funding than they contribute. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Support for independence is small in Wales and Northern Ireland. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News highlighted the historic nature of the meeting, giving airtime to both nationalist leaders and unionist critics. It focused on the dramatic declaration that Westminster's time is ending and on the role of Donald Trump's comments in boosting the nationalist cause.
- “Westminster's time is coming to an end. That is the message from the First Ministers of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, who have all today signed a memorandum of understanding to work together.”
- “I think today is a new departure.”
- “I think he will be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”
BBC TWO's Politics Live focused on the political debate around the summit, analysing opinion polling and the likelihood of referendums. It gave a platform to both SNP representatives and unionist critics, with a heavy emphasis on the lack of a decisive majority for independence in Scotland.
- “I think he will be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”
- “I think today marks a hugely significant moment with the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein joining together to sign the memorandum of understanding.”
- “Since the 2024 general election, there have been 28 where there's been a narrow pro vote in Scotland for independence and 22 where there's been a narrow ante for the union.”
BBC ONE West provided local perspective from Cardiff, emphasising that the three leaders are on different journeys and that Wales is further behind on independence. It stressed the symbolic significance while noting the lack of a concrete timeline for Wales.
- “Westminster's time is coming to an end.”
- “This was billed as a moment in history.”
- “They're travelling at very different paces.”
ITV News covered the summit as a major political development, explaining the different constitutional routes and the government's response. It highlighted the symbolism of the meeting while noting the lack of a clear roadmap.
- “Westminster's time is coming to an end.”
- “I think our common cause here is that we have the right to self-determination.”
- “We have a mandate for change to make Wales more confident, more prosperous and more in control of its future.”
5 News delivered a concise summary, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the meeting and quoting Swinney's prediction about Andy Burnham. It framed the story as a challenge to Westminster.
- “Westminster is coming to an end.”
- “I think he will be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”
- “This has never happened before.”
Channel 4 News provided in-depth reporting on the memorandum and the historical context, including the role of Trump and the differing strategies of the three parties. It gave detailed attention to the content of the agreement and the unionist backlash.
- “Westminster's time is coming to an end.”
- “It is not an exaggeration to say that this meeting today and the signing of this memorandum is historic.”
- “We certainly need a date for the referendum by 2030.”
GB News framed the story around the financial cost to England and raised the question of whether England should have a say. It hosted a panel discussion that included a former SNP MP and unionist commentators, focusing on the sustainability of independence.
- “Is it time for England itself to have a vote on those nations leaving the United Kingdom?”
- “I think that argument was thrashed out convincingly in 2014.”
- “Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all net recipients of Westminster taxpayer cash.”
BBC News (The Context) analysed the symbolism of the meeting and the constitutional mechanics, noting that referendums ultimately depend on Westminster approval. It provided historical context and explained the different legal routes for each nation.
- “The first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have called on the UK government to prepare for constitutional change.”
- “it's a hugely symbolic moment”
- “The decision on whether to have a referendum lies with the UK government.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.